Collapsible structure

ABSTRACT

A collapsible enclosure having two opposed side panels, opposed front and rear panels, a floor panel, and a top panel having an opening. The opposed side panels, opposed front and rear panels, and floor panel are connected to one another to form a substantially rectangular enclosure having an opening in the top panel for access to the structure. The top and floor panels each include a peripheral edging containing a looped frame. The opposed side panels each include a peripheral edging containing opposed side frames, the side frames each having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being attached to respective looped frames. A method of collapsing the structure is also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/050,529, filed 10 Oct. 2013, which is a continuation-in-partof co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/904,605, filed 29 May2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to collapsible structures andspecifically to a collapsible container for household use.

A typical household often encounters the need for temporary storage ofgarments prior to washing or cleaning. Regardless of the place wherelaundry or cleaning is done, either at home or in a commercial setting,soiled garments need to be sorted, stored, and eventually transported toa designated place. Usual storage structures are bulking and requirespace when not in use. The present invention can be utilized for garmentsorting, storage and transportation, while being collapsible for facileand space-saving storage while not in use. At the same time, the presentinvention can also be used for other purposes, such as storage ortransportation of toys or other objects. Accordingly, its use is not tobe limited to storage or transportation of soiled garments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a collapsible structure andspecifically to a collapsible structure for home use as a hamper or thelike, and method of making and using the same.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other advantagesare obtained by providing a collapsible structure comprising a pluralityof panels including opposed side panels, opposed front and back panels,and a floor panel, forming an enclosure having a top and a bottom, thetop having an opening. In the preferred embodiment, each side panel andthe front and back panels comprises a flexible continuous loop frame, aweb of material, and an edging material. The edging material envelopsthe loop frame and is coupled to the periphery of the web. Each of thefloor panel and the top includes a periphery having an edging material.The edging material envelops a loop frame in a manner similar to that ofthe side panels and front and back panels. Each of the floor panel andtop is further provided with a rigid border member to support a meshpanel or to frame the opening, as will be discussed, thus forming thestructure.

Alternatively, the side panels may each comprise a pair of opposedflexible side frame members, each side frame member having a first frameend and a second frame end, a web of material, and an edging material.The edging material envelops the side frame members and is coupled tothe periphery of the web. The top and the bottom each include aperiphery having an edging material. The edging material envelops aflexible, continuous loop frame in a manner similar to that of the sidepanels. The first frame ends of each of the flexible side frame membersare attached to a first loop frame while the second side frame ends areattached to a second loop frame.

A preferred method of manufacturing the collapsible structure includesthe steps of coupling edging to selected webs such that the edgingsurrounds the perimeter of the web and forms a channel or pocket throughwhich the frame will later be inserted. After the side panels havingedging have been formed, opposed sides of the front panel are eachattached to respective first sides of the side panels. Next, respectivesecond sides of each side panel are connected with opposed sides of theback panel. A flexible frame for each side panel is inserted through thechannel formed by each edging. The ends of each frame member areconnected, preferably using a crimped butt connector, to give thecollapsible structure its ability to freely stand in a rigid, expanded,upright state. Next, an edging is coupled to the periphery of each ofthe top and the floor panel and a flexible frame for each periphery isinserted through the channel formed by each edging. The ends of eachframe member are connected in manner similar to that used for the sidepanels. A rigid border member is attached to the top and the floorpanel. The rigid border members are adapted to support closurestructures such as flexible mesh webbing.

A method of manufacturing an alternative collapsible structure mayinclude the steps of coupling edging to selected webs such that theedging surrounds the perimeter of the web and forms a channel or pocketthrough which side frames will later be inserted. After the requisitenumber of side panels having edging has been formed, opposed sides of afront panel are each attached to respective first sides of the sidepanels. Next, respective second sides of each side panel are connectedwith opposed sides of a back panel. Each side panel is provided with apair of opposed flexible side frames. The flexible side frames areinserted through opposed portions of the channel formed by each edging.Each side frame member includes a first frame end and second frame end.Next, an edging is coupled to the periphery of each of the top and thefloor panel and a flexible continuous loop frame for each periphery isinserted through the channel formed by each edging. The ends of eachflexible continuous loop frame member are connected preferably using acrimped butt connector, to form a continuous frame and to give thestructure its ability to freely stand in a rigid, expanded, uprightstate. The first frame ends of the flexible side frames are attached toa first continuous loop frame member, and the second frame ends of theflexible side frames are attached to a second continuous loop framemember. The frame ends may be attached to the continuous loop framemembers by crimping or other known means. A rigid border member isattached to both the top and the floor panel. The rigid border membersare adapted to support closure structures such as flexible mesh webbing.

From the expanded state, the structure can be folded and collapsed forstorage or transportation. The preferred steps of collapsing thestructure include grasping the rigid border member of the top androtating it 180° while compressing the side panels and the front andback panels until the panels are spiraled against each other and therigid border members are adjacent and overlay each other. While thestructure is now collapsed, downward pressure is required to prevent thestructure from springing back into an expanded state. Next, the fastenermembers on a rigid border member are pivoted to catch a correspondinglatch member on an opposite rigid border member to thereby hold thestructure in the collapsed state for storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to thepresent invention.

FIGS. 2-6 depict a method of collapsing the collapsible structure, andusing a fastener and latch system to hold the collapsed structure in thecollapsed state.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the structure in collapsed condition.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of the collapsible structure illustrating theinterrelationship of the various components while in expanded condition.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cutaway view showing attachment of a rigid framemember to the top loop frame.

FIG. 10A is an enlarged cross sectional view of the loop frame used inthe top and the floor panel.

FIG. 10B is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to that of FIG. 9A,but showing the loop frame used in the side panels, the front panel andthe back panel.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the collapsible structure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing analternative collapsible structure having looped handles and imperforatematerial.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view, similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 12, butshowing an alternative collapsible structure having rigid handles.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view, similar to that of FIGS. 1, 12, and 13,but showing an alternative collapsible structure having rigid loopedhandles.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the collapsible structure illustratedin FIG. 14, but in collapsed condition.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view an alternative collapsible structureaccording to the present invention and showing hand hold apertures.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative collapsible structureaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a cutaway view of the collapsible structure shown in FIG. 17and illustrating the interrelationship of the various components whilein expanded condition.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the collapsible structure illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are enlarged cutaway views taken from FIG. 19.

FIGS. 20-24 depict a method of collapsing the collapsible structureillustrated in FIGS. 17-19B, and using a fastener and latch system tohold the collapsed structure in the collapsed state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodimentsherein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied inother specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has beendescribed, the details may be changed without departing from theinvention, which is defined by the claims.

As shown in the Figures, a collapsible structure 10 according to thepresent invention comprises a front panel 12, a rear panel 14, twoopposed side panels 20, a top panel 30, and a floor panel 40. The frontpanel 12, rear panel 14, two side panels 20, top panel 30 having anopening 32, and floor panel 40 are connected to one another to form asubstantially rectangular enclosure 10 having the opening 32 for access.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 11 it may be seen that each side panel 20comprises a frame 22, a web 24, and an edging 26. The frame 22 isflexible, preferably formed from a sufficiently stiff yet resilientmaterial such as spring steel wire or plastic, and may form a loop thatmay or may not be continuous. Preferably, the frame 22 has a rectangularcross-section, as seen in FIG. 10B. The frame 22 is contained within thechannel or pocket 25 formed by the edging 26 (best seen in FIG. 11). Thewebs 24 are a flexible foldable material, such as nylon cloth or nylonmesh, but can be any suitably flexible material. The nylon, or otherflexible material, may be solid or perforated. The perimeter of the web24 is stitched to the edging 26 such that the edging 26 forms a pocket25 about the periphery of the web 24. The edging 26 is a foldable, butstretch-resistant material capable of housing the frame 22 within itspocket 25.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 11, the front panel 12 and rearpanel 14 preferably each comprise a continuous and non-interruptedfoldable material. Each panel web 24 preferably comprises a continuousand non-interrupted mesh material, or alternatively, may comprise acombination of mesh material and non-mesh foldable material. FIG. 12illustrates the use of non-mesh foldable material for each panel web 24.

As may be further seen, the front and rear panels 12, 14 may eachinclude a handle member 80, 80A for ease in transport. As seen, thehandle members 80, 80A each have both ends connected to the top side 16of a respective panel 12, 14. The handle members 80, 80A may be formedfrom a stretch-resistance material and having a web 82 that extendsbetween a portion of each strap side. The handle members 80, 80A for thepresent invention are not limited to the particular type shown in FIGS.1-8 and 11. Two alternative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14,illustrating different handle members. In FIG. 13, the handle members180 are rigid hand grips which extend from the rigid border member 60.The handle members 180 may be affixed to the rigid border member 60 ormay be integrally formed as a one piece construction with the rigidborder member 60. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate alternative handle members280, 280A. As seen, the handle members 280, 280A may be formed from arelatively rigid material and affixed to the rigid border member 60. Thehandle members 280, 280A of these views include a bail portion 84 forease in carrying.

With particular reference now to FIG. 11, the top panel 30 is seen tohave a generally rectangular shape having a periphery that defines a topopening 32. Further seen is the floor panel 40 which also has agenerally rectangular shape having a periphery. The periphery of boththe top panel 30 and the floor panel 40 includes an edging 26. Theedging 26 forms a pocket 25 about the periphery of the top panel 30 andthe floor panel 40 and, similar to the edging 26 discussed inconjunction with the side panels 20, is a foldable, butstretch-resistant material capable of housing a frame 22A within itspocket 25. As seen in FIG. 10A, the frame 22A used in conjunction withthe top panel 30 and the floor panel 40 preferably has a round crosssection. In construction, the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 eachinclude four corner sections 52 which are attached to four substantiallyperpendicular sides of each side panel 20, the top panel periphery, andthe floor panel 40 periphery.

With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 11, a rigid border member 60 ispositioned over and is attached to the edging 26 of the top panel 30. Asseen, the rigid border member 60 may include a mounting element 62having an abutment 64 to support the frame 22A in its pocket 25. Theabutment 64 may be further adapted to receive a fastener, such as thescrew 66 and washer 68 combination shown. An opening 32 within the rigidborder member 60 provides access to the enclosure 10.

In a manner similar to that of the top panel 30, a rigid border member60 is positioned over and is attached to the edging 26 of the floorpanel 40. As with the Lop panel 30, the rigid border member 60 used inconjunction with the floor panel 40 may include a mounting element 62adapted to support the frame 22A in its pocket 25 and further to receivea fastener such as the screw 66 and washer 68 combination shown in FIGS.9 and 11. With regard to the floor panel 40, a web 24 may be attached tothe edging 26 in a manner similar to that of panels 12, 14. The web 24may perforate or imperforate, as desired and formed from any suitablyflexible material. One of the rigid border members 60 is furtherpreferably provided with latches 70 which may be moved between open andclosed positions. The latches 70 engage corresponding protruding catches72 on the opposite rigid border member 60 to thereby hold the structure10 in the collapsed state for storage, as will be discussed.

Although stitching is presented as the preferred means for attaching orconnecting the elements of the structure 10 and permitting relativelyconvenient folding of the structure 10, it is to be understood thatother methods of attachment can be used in this invention. Such othermethods may include heat sealing, gluing and the like. Accordingly,construction of the collapsible structure should not be limited tostitching alone.

From the expanded state, the structure 10 may be folded into a collapsedstate for storage and transportation. FIGS. 2 to 7 show various stepsfor collapsing the structure 10. Referring to FIG. 2, the first steprequires positioning the structure with the top panel 30 on top,grasping the rigid border member 60 and rotating 180° in the directionof arrow A (see FIG. 3) while compressing the side panels 20 until theside panels 20 are spiraled against each other and the rigid bordermembers 60 are adjacent and overlay each other. The structure 10 is nowcollapsed, but downward pressure is still required to prevent thestructure 10 from springing back into an expanded state. FIG. 6 showsthe final step of pivoting the latch members 70 on a rigid border member60 in the direction of arrow B to catch a corresponding catch member 72on an opposite rigid border member 60 to thereby hold the structure inthe collapsed state for storage.

When the latch members 70 are uncoupled from the latch members 72, theframe members 22 will bias the structure 10 into its fully expandedstate. Again, the fully expanded state of the embodiment is that shownin FIG. 1.

With attention now to FIG. 12, another embodiment of a collapsiblestructure 10A may be seen. Similar to the previously described device10, the collapsible structure 100 in this view comprises a front panel12, a rear panel 14, two side panels 20, a top panel 30 having anopening 32, and a floor panel 40. The front panel 12, rear panel 14, andtwo side panels 20 are connected to one another to form a substantiallyrectangular enclosure 10A. As may be viewed, the panels 12, 14, and 20may be formed from an imperforate flexible foldable material, such asnylon cloth or nylon mesh, but can be fabricated from any suitablyflexible material.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate collapsible structures 100, 200,respectively. Structure 100 is seen as having the alternative handlemembers 180 mentioned previously. As seen, the handle members 180 arerigid hand grips which extend from the rigid border member 60. Thehandle members 180 seen in FIG. 13 are shown as integrally formed as aone piece construction with the rigid border member 60, however it is tobe understood that it is within the scope of the present invention toaffix the handle members 180 to the rigid border 60.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a collapsible structure 200 havingalternative handle members 280, 280A. As seen, the handle members 280,280A of collapsible structure 200 may be formed from a relatively rigidmaterial and affixed to the rigid border member 60. The handle members280, 280A of these views include a bail portion 84 for ease in carrying.The structure 200 depicted in FIG. 14 may be seen collapsed and in aportable state in FIG. 15.

With attention now to FIG. 16, another embodiment of a collapsiblestructure 300 may be seen. Similar to the previously described devices10, 10A, 100, 200, the collapsible structure 300 in this view comprisesa front panel 12, a rear panel 14, two side panels 20, a top panel 30having an opening 32, and a floor panel 40 (not seen in this view).

As in the previous embodiments, each side panel 20 comprises a frame 22,a web 24, and an edging 26. The frame 22 is contained within the channelor pocket 25 formed by the edging 26 (best seen in FIG. 11). Theperimeter of the web 24 is stitched to the edging 26 such that theedging 26 forms a pocket 25 about the periphery of the web 24. Theedging 26 is a foldable, but stretch-resistant material capable ofhousing the frame 22 within its pocket 25. As may be further seen, atleast one of the side panels 20 may further include a handhold opening210. The handhold opening 210 may be used to transport, position, orotherwise move the structure 300 as may be required during use. As seen,the opening 210 is bounded by edging material 26 in a manner similar tothat of the webs 24. As may be viewed, the perimeter of the opening 210is stitched to the edging 26 for reinforcement and support. The edging26 used in conjunction with the opening 210 is similar to the edging 26used in other areas of the structure 10, 10A, 100, 200 and is a foldablebut stretch-resistant material. The opening 210 may be located at anysuitable position in a selected side panel 20, however the opening 210is illustrated at a convenient, centered midpoint. Further, it is to beunderstood that, while not specifically shown, a handhold opening 210may be used in conjunction with any of the collapsible structuresdiscussed herein.

It is to be understood that while the structures 10A, 100, 200, 300illustrated in the views of 12-16 depict the panels 12, 14, and 20 asformed from an imperforate flexible foldable material, it is within thescope of the present invention to utilize the handle members of theseviews with any of the previously mentioned materials, includingperforate non-interrupted mesh material, or a combination of meshmaterial and non-mesh foldable without limitation.

With attention now to FIGS. 17-24 another embodiment of a collapsiblestructure 400 may be seen. Similar to the previously described devices10, 10A, 100, 200, 300 the collapsible structure 400 in these viewscomprises a front panel 12, a rear panel 14, two side panels 20, a toppanel 30 having an opening 32, and a floor panel 40. The front panel 12,rear panel 14, and two side panels 20 are connected to one another toform a substantially rectangular enclosure 400. The panels 12, 14, and20 may be formed from a flexible foldable material, such as nylon clothor nylon mesh, but can be any suitably flexible material. Further, thematerial may be solid or perforated.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-19 it may be seen that each side panel 20comprises a pair of opposed side frames 322, a web 24, and an edging 26.The side frames 322 are flexible, preferably formed from a sufficientlystiff yet resilient material such as spring steel wire or plastic, andeach include a first frame end 324A and a second frame end 324B.Preferably, the side frames 322 have a rectangular cross-section, asseen in FIG. 10B. The side frames 322 are contained within the channelor pocket 25 formed by the edging 26 (best seen in FIG. 19). The webs 24are a flexible foldable material, such as nylon cloth or nylon mesh, butcan be any suitably flexible material. The nylon, or other flexiblematerial, may be solid or perforated. The perimeter of the web 24 isstitched to the edging 26 such that the edging 26 forms a pocket 25about the periphery of the web 24. The edging 26 is a foldable, butstretch-resistant material capable of housing a side frame 322 withinits pocket 25.

As best seen in FIGS. 17 and 19, the front panel 12 and rear panel 14preferably each comprise a continuous and non-interrupted foldablematerial. Each side panel web 24 preferably comprises a continuous andnon-interrupted mesh material, or alternatively, may comprise acombination of mesh material and non-mesh foldable material.

With particular reference now to FIG. 19, the top panel 30 is seen tohave a generally rectangular shape having a periphery that defines anopening 34. Further seen is the floor panel 40 which also has agenerally rectangular shape having a periphery. The periphery of boththe top panel 30 and the floor panel 40 includes an edging 26. Theedging 26 forms a pocket 25 about the periphery of the top panel 30 andthe floor panel 40 and, similar to the edging 26 discussed inconjunction with the side panels 20, is a foldable, butstretch-resistant material capable of housing a continuous loop frame22A within its pocket 25. As seen in FIG. 10A, the frame 22A used inconjunction with the top panel 30 and the floor panel 40 preferably hasa round cross section.

As seen particularly in the view of FIGS. 19-19B, the side frames 322each include a first frame end 324A and a second frame end 324B. Inconstruction of the container 400, the first frame end 324A is attachedto a first continuous loop frame 22A, while the second frame end 324B isattached to a second continuous loop frame 22A to thereby secure theside frames 322 to the loop frames 22A. With particular reference toFIG. 19, attachment of the frame ends 324A, 324B to the loop frames 22Amay be seen. As shown, the frame ends 324A, 324B may each encircle arespective portion of a loop frame 22A to couple the frame ends 324A,324B to a respective loop frame 22A. Although the Figures show the frameends 324A, 324B encircling the loop frame 22A, it is to be understoodthat the frame ends 324A, 324B may be attached in other acceptablemanner, such as by crimping, welding, or other known means.

With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 19, a rigid border member 60 ispositioned over and is attached to the edging 26 of the top panel 30. Asseen, and similar to the rigid border member 60 discussed with regard toFIGS. 1-16, the rigid border member 60 may include a mounting element 62(see FIG. 9) to support the frame 22A in its pocket 25. As in theprevious embodiments, an abutment 64, such as that shown in FIG. 9, maybe further adapted to receive a fastener, such as the screw 66 andwasher 68 combination shown. An opening 32 within the rigid bordermember 60 provides access to the container 400.

With regard to the floor panel 40, and in a manner similar to that ofthe top panel 30, a rigid border member 60 is positioned over and isattached to the edging 26 of the floor panel 40. As with the top panel30, the rigid border member 60 used in conjunction with the floor panel40 may include a mounting element 62 adapted to support the frame 22A inits pocket 25 and further to receive a fastener such as the screw 66 andwasher 68 combination shown in FIGS. 9 and 19. With regard to the floorpanel 40, a web 24 may be attached to the edging 26 in a manner similarto that of panels 12, 14. The web 24 may perforate or imperforate, asdesired and formed from any suitably flexible material. One of the rigidborder members 60 (seen as the floor rigid border member 60 in theseviews) is further preferably provided with at least one latch member 70which may be moved between open and closed positions. The latch member70 engages a corresponding protruding catch 72 on the opposite rigidborder member 60 to thereby hold the container 400 in the collapsedstate for storage, as will be discussed.

As in the previously described embodiments, although stitching ispresented as the preferred means for attaching or connecting theelements of the structure 400 and permitting relatively convenientfolding of the structure 400, it is to be understood that other methodsof attachment may be used. Such other methods may include heat sealing,gluing and the like. Accordingly, construction of the collapsiblestructure 400 should not be limited to stitching alone.

FIGS. 20-24 illustrate various steps for collapsing the structure 400after use. The structure 400 may be collapsed in a manner similar tothat described with reference to FIGS. 2-7. The first step requirespositioning the container 400 with the top panel 30 on top, grasping therigid border member 60 and rotating 180° in the direction of arrow Awhile compressing the side panels 20 until the side panels 20 arespiraled against each other and the rigid border members 60 are adjacentand overlay each other. The container 400 is now collapsed, but downwardpressure is required to prevent the container 400 from springing backinto an expanded state. FIG. 24 shows the final step of pivoting thelatch members 70 on a rigid border member 60 in the direction of arrow Bto catch a corresponding catch member 72 on an opposite rigid bordermember 60 to thereby hold the container 400 in the collapsed state forstorage and transportation.

When the latch members 70 are uncoupled from the catch members 72, theframe members 22 will bias the container 400 into its fully expandedstate. Again, the fully expanded state of the embodiment is that shownin FIG. 17.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changeswill readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired tolimit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed. While the preferred embodiment has been described, thedetails may be changed without departing from the invention, which isdefined by the claims.

I/We claim:
 1. A collapsible structure comprising: a plurality of body panels, including opposed side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel; a top end and a floor panel, said top end having an opening therein, said opening including a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material; each side panel including a web, opposed side frames, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the side frames each having a first frame end and a second frame end and being positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging; the front panel and the rear panel being connected to the side panels; and a rigid border member attached to said peripheral edging of said opening.
 2. The collapsible structure of claim 1 wherein said floor panel includes a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material and a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, and wherein said looped frame forms a continuous loop.
 3. The collapsible structure of claim 2 wherein each second frame end is coupled to said looped frame.
 4. The collapsible structure of claim 1 further including at least one handle member attached to said peripheral edging of said opening.
 5. The collapsible structure of claim 2 wherein said floor panel includes a rigid border member attached to said peripheral edging.
 6. The collapsible structure of claim 1 wherein said rigid border member includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging.
 7. The collapsible structure of claim 5 wherein said rigid border member on said floor panel includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging.
 8. The collapsible structure of claim 1 wherein said top end includes a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging of the opening, and wherein said looped frame forms a continuous loop.
 9. The collapsible structure of claim 8 wherein each first frame end is coupled to said looped frame of said top end.
 10. A method of collapsing a collapsible structure comprising the steps of: providing a collapsible structure having a plurality of body panels, including opposed side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel, a floor panel, and a top end, said top end having an opening therein, each side panel including a web, opposed side frames, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the side frames being positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, and the front panel and the rear panel being connected to the side panels, each of said top end and said floor panel having a rigid frame member attached thereto; and grasping a first rigid border member and rotating it 180° while compressing the side panels until the side panels are spiraled against each other and the first rigid border member is adjacent to and overlays a second rigid border member.
 11. The method of claim 10 further including the steps of: providing a first rigid frame member with fastener members and a second rigid frame member with corresponding latch members; applying downward pressure on the collapsed structure; and pivoting said fastener members to catch said corresponding latch members.
 12. A collapsible structure comprising: a plurality of body panels, including opposed side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel; a top end and a floor panel, said top end having an opening therein, said opening including a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material and a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, and wherein the looped frame forms a continuous loop; the front panel and the rear panel being connected to the side panels; and a rigid border member attached to said peripheral edging of said opening.
 13. The collapsible structure of claim 12 wherein each side panel includes a web, opposed side frames, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the frames being positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging.
 14. The collapsible structure of claim 13 wherein each of said opposed side frames includes a first frame end and a second frame end.
 15. The collapsible structure of claim 13 wherein said floor panel includes a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material and a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging of the floor panel, and wherein the looped frame forms a continuous loop.
 16. The collapsible structure of claim 15 wherein each first frame end is coupled to said looped frame of said top end and each second frame end is coupled to said looped frame of said floor panel.
 17. The collapsible structure of claim 12 wherein said rigid border member includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging.
 18. The collapsible structure of claim 12 further including at least one handle member attached to said rigid border member. 